KENNEDY RULED OUT OF FESTIVAL

GORDON ELLIOTT will be without his top rider Jack Kennedy at the Cheltenham Festival after he lost his race against time to be fit for the showpiece meeting.

The 23-year-old broke his leg for the fifth time when falling from Top Bandit at Naas in January. He visited surgeon Paddy Kenny yesterday and, although he is making good progress, he will sit out the Festival, which begins in 10 days.

His agent Kevin o’Ryan said: ‘Cheltenham is coming too soon. He tried his best. He is keen to get back as soon as possible, but will give it all the time it needs. Hopefully it will be a couple of weeks after Cheltenham.’ Following Kennedy’s injury, Davy Russell came out of retirement to fill the void but suffered a heavy fall at the Dublin Racing Festival and has had just two rides since. However, he has been booked by elliott for two rides at leopardstown tomorrow.